Machine for measuring, cutting, and rolling linoleum



A. C. MANNING May 6, 1952 MACHINE FOR MEASURING, CUTTING, AND ROLLING LINOLEUM Filed Dec. 2, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVEN TOR. flLBERZ' GMmw/A/a.

A. C. MANNING May 6, 1952 MACHINE FOR MEASURING, CUTTING, AND ROLLING LINOLEUM Filed Dec. 2, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 JNVENTOR. ALBERT fiffmwvz/vg.

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Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR MEASURING, CUTTING, AND ROLLING LINOLEUM 4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in a machine for measuring, cutting and rolling linoleum or the like. It consists of the combinations, constructions, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

It is a common practice in stores to support stocks of linoleum and other floor covering in large rolls, and to cut pieces therefrom for customers. However, it is a difficult task for clerks to measure the material accurately, cut the desired amount, and roll the severed pieces into a compact bundle for ready transportation from the store.

Often the stock of linoleum has considerable width, making it diflicult to cut the material therefrom and to roll the cut material. Another factor contributing to the problem lies in the fact that the stock rolls are supported on standards above the floor. Unless these rolls are removed from the standards and the linoleum flattened out on the floor, the clerk will have a laborious task. Space is not always available for spreading out the material over the floor of the store.

Accordingly, the cardinal object of my invention is to provide a portable machine, which may be moved into position in front of the rolls of stock material, and actuated for measuring, cutting and rolling the cut material into a compact bundle.

Moreover, I propose to provide coacting drums, which are engageable with the sides of the linoleum. and operable for pulling the desired length of linoleum from the stock roll. After the proper amount of linoleum has been wrapped around these drums, which is determined by a counter, a cutter is placed in operation for severing the wrapped piece of linoleum from the stock roll.

Subsequently, these drums are moved apart for disengaging them from the wrapped piece of linoleum.

Although I will describe my machine in connection with linoleum, it will be appreciated, of

course, that the machine is adapted for cutting carpets, screening, and other sheet material. The preambles of the annexed claims are sufiiciently broad to include such other materials.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

Drawings For a better understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure l is an'end elevational view of my machine, disclosing it arranged in front of a standard carrying, several rolls of linoleum;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the machine, as seen from the line 11-11 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are transverse vertical sectional views taken along the lines IV--IV and VV, respectively, of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of that portion of the machine enclosed by the dot-dash circle VII in Figure 2, but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the cutter mechanism, as indicated by the line VIIIVlII in Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 8;

Figures 10 and 11 are vertical sectional views taken along the lines XX and XIXI, respectively, of Figure 3; and

Figure 12 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 2.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description to a base l4 resting on the floor l5. Obviously,

any other suitable means could be utilized for rotatably supporting the stock rolls of linoleum or other sheet material.

In Figure 1, I show my machine as being located in front of the standard A, with the linoleum passing over a combined guide and cutter C. The leading end It of this linoleum has its side marginal sections l'l gripped by a pair of rotatable drums D (see Figures 2-6, inclusive). As these drums are revolved, the linoleum is wound therearound, and the lineal feet of the linoleum advanced is recorded on a commercial counter E.

After the desired amount of linoleum has been wrapped around the drums, a blade 18 is moved to cut the wrapped piece of linoleum from the remainder in the stock roll. As the specification proceeds, it will become evident that my machine is adjustable for accommodating various widths of linoleum.

My machine includes a main frame F, which is provided with non-swivel rollers l9 movable over the floor [5. This frame has a top 20 upon which a horizontally-adjustable platform G is mounted. In Figures 2, 3 and 11, I disclose a pivot stud 2| havin its lower .end threaded into the top 20. The platform G may be adjusted horizontally about the stud 2|, as suggested by the center lines 22 in Figure 3, and thereafter retained in adjusted position by clamping studs 23. The latter pass downwardly through arcuate slots 24 fashioned in the platform G. This adjustment will allow the platform to be swung into parallel relation relative to the stock rolls of linoleum B carried by the standard A.

The combined guide and cutter C, rotatable drums D and counter E are mounted on the platform G and move therewith. The details of these parts will be set forth as the specification continues.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 8, the platform G is provided with brackets 25 in which vertically-adjustable standards 26 are mounted. These standards are retained in adjusted position by set-screws 2i, and have a horizontallyarranged pipe 28 fixed to the upper ends thereof so as to extend along the entire length of the platform G (see Figure 2). It will be understood that the pipe 28 may be raised or lowered, and serves as a guide over which the linoleum B passes while advancing from the stool; rolls in the standard A and wound upon the drums D.

The bore of this pipe has a screw shaft 29 mounted axially therein and retained against lengthwise movement relative thereto by collars 36, which bear against bushings 3| threaded into opposite ends of the pipe (see Figure 8). This shaft has a block 32 threaded thereon to which the blade i8 is anchored. This blade projects upwardly through a slot 33 fashioned in the top of the pipe 28 and extending substantially the length of the pipe.

In Figure 8, I disclose the blade E3 as having a V-shaped cutting edge 3 3 adapted to shear the linoleum across the entire width ther of between opposing marginal edges or sections ll of the linoleum when the blade is advanced. The apex 35 of the cutting edge of the blade is disposed in registry with the top of the pipe (see Figure 8) "For the purpose of turning the shaft 29 and thus advancing or retracting the blade l 8, I make use of a reversible motor 36. The latter is connected to the shaft 29 by sprockets 3'1 and chain 38. In Figure 8, I show this motor as being supported on a bracket-like platform 39 adjustably anchored to one of the standards 26 by a thumbscrew 40. This platform carries a panel board 4! having a starting toggle switch 42 and a speedcontrol rheostat 43.

It is quite apparent from the structure just described that the motor 36 may be operated for advancing the blade 48 across the entire width of the linoleum overlying the pipe 23. This will sever the piece of linoleum on the drums from the remainder in the stock rolls. Upon reversing the motor, the blade will be retracted to starting position.

Next, I shall describe the structural features for adjustably mounting the drums D. End plates 44 are provided on the platform G and supporta pair of guide rods 45 that extend. the full" length of the platform. Also, these end plates rotatably carry a drive shaft 46. For the purpose of turning this shaft, I provide cranks 4! at opposite ends thereof beyond the plates 44.

Moreover, I provide a pair of spaced-apart drum-supporting members 48, which are mounted in confronting relation with one another. These members are slidably supported on the guide rods 45, may be clamped in adjusted position on the rods 45 by set-screws 49, and are adjustable independently of one another. The drive shaft 46 is journalled for free rotation in the members 48.

The upper ends of the members 48 have stubshafts 50 secured thereto (see Figure 6) on which gears 5| are rotatably supported. These gears are held in place on the stub-shafts by retaining studs 52. Gears 5| mesh with pinions 53 that are splined to the drive shaft 46 so as to be rotated by the latter. Thus rotation of the cranks 41 will operate to turn the gears 5|. Discs 54 are abutted against the confronting faces of the two gears 5| and are fastened thereto by screws 55 (see Figures 4 to 6, inclusive).

The drums D are identical with one another, and are abutted against the confronting faces of the discs 54. The same screws 55 are used for securing the drums to the gears 5| (see Figure 6). Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the drums D- include complementary arcuate plates 55 and 51 disposed on opposite sides of the axes of the retaining studs 52. These plates are substantially semi-circular in cross-section, and have their convex surfaces facing outwardly.

Resilient spring fingers 58 and 59 are provided on the arouate plates 56 and project underneath the marginal portions 60 and ti, respectively, of the plates 5?. It will be noted from Figure 4 that pairs of stops-62 and 63 are secured to the arouate plates 57 on the concave faces of the latter.

When the linoleum B is fed to the drums from the stock rolls of the standard A, as in Figure 1,

the marginal sections ll of the linoleum are introduced between the resilient fingers 58 of the plates 56 and the marginal portions 60 of the plates 51 until the forward edge 64 is advanced against the stops 62. This will grip the linoleum with sufficient pressure to pull the linoleum from the stock rolls, and will resultin winding a desired amount of linoleum around the drums D when the latter are turned in a clockwise direction in Figure 4.

In the event that the linoleum is fed from the right side of the machine in Figure 1, as suggested by the dot-dash line illustration of the linoleum B in Figure 4, the forward edge 64a of. the linoleum is abutted against the stops 63. In this case, the linoleum is gripped between the fingers 59 and the marginal portions 6! of the plates 51.

The set-screws 49 may be loosened to allow the drum-supporting members 48 to be adjusted toward or away from each other. This will permit linoleum of various widths to be wound on the drums D. In Figure 7, I show the members 48 having arrows 65 thereon, which ride over a scale 65 provided. on the platform G (see Figure 2). This scale will indicate the width of linoleum to be rolled and out.

If the stock roll is longer than the length of the main frame F, portable legs 61 are utilized for supporting the overhanging end of the platform G (see Figures 2 and 12). These legs have upper ends 68 that are adapted to be telescoped'into sockets 69 provided on the underside of the plat form G.

The lineal footage of the linoleum wound upon the drums D is indicated by the commercial counter E. The latter is fixed to one of the drumsupporting members 48 (see Figure 7), and its actuating shaft carries a pinion H that meshes with one of the pinions 53. Since the latter is turned for winding the linoleum on the drums D, the pinion H will be turned at the same time to operate the counter. Reverse movement of the pinions 53 is prevented during the winding of the linoleum on the drums D by spring-pressed pawls 12 (see Figure 5).

Summary of operation The operation of my machine for measuring, cutting and rolling linoleum or the like is summarized briefly as follows:

The machine is rolled into a position in front of the stock-carrying standard A, as shown in Figure 1, and approximately parallel with the lengths of the stock rolls of linoleum. Next, the clerk swings the horizontally-adjustable platform G until it parallels the stock rolls, and then tightens the clamping studs 23.

As a further step, the clerk moves the drumsupporting members 48 toward or away from one another, until the space between the confronting discs 54 is the same as the width of the linoleum to be cut and rolled, and the set-screws 49 are tightened. Then the clerk introduces the side marginal sections I! of the linoleum between the resilient fingers 58 and the marginal portions 60 of the drums D, with the forward end 64 of the linoleum abutting the stops 62.

Now the machine is ready to be operated. The clerk turns one of the cranks 41 to rotate the drums D in a clockwise direction in Figure 1. This will result in winding the linoleum around the drums D, and the counter E will indicate the number of feet of the linoleum thus wound upon the drums. After the desired amount of linoleum has been obtained, the electric motor 36 is started. This will advance the blade 18 along the pipe 28 to sever the piece of the linoleum on the drums D from the remainder in the stock roll.

The clerk can tie strings around the piece of linoleum While it is still on the drums D. Thereafter, one Or both of the set-screws 49 may be loosened, and the drum-carrying members 48 moved apart to free them from the rolled piece of linoleum.

Of course, the clerk may wish to cut the linoleum only part way across its width, and then use a suitable cutter to cut the linoleum lengthwise to obtain a strip narrower than the width of the stock roll. This can be accomplished by stopping the blade I 8 at the proper time.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described: a main frame positioned in front of a standard supporting a stock roll of sheet material; a horizontally-adjusting platform carried by the main frame and being movable into parallel relation with the length of the stock roll; a pair of spaced-apart drums mounted on the platform with an unobstructed passage therebetween and having means for removably gripping opposing marginal sections of the material; means for 6 turning the drums to wind a desired amount of the sheet material around the drums; and means supporting the drums for movement away from one another to withdraw them from the wound material.

2. In a machine of the character described: a drum rotatable about an axis; the drum including a pair of complementary arcuate plates arranged on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, with the convex surfaces of the plates facing outwardly; one of the plates having a resilient finger projecting therefrom into a position underlying an adjacent marginal portion of the other plate so as to grip a sheet of material inserted therebetween.

3. In a machine of the character described: a drum rotatable about an axis; the drum including a pair of complementary arcuate plates arranged on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, with the convex surfaces of the plates facing outwardly; one of the plates having a resilient finger projecting therefrom into a position underlying an adjacent marginal portion of the other plate so as to grip a sheet of material inserted therebetween; and a stop carried by the inner concave surface of one of .the plates and positioned to abut a forward end of the sheet when the latter is inserted between the finger and said marginal portion of said other plate.

4. In a machine of the character described: a drum rotatable about an axis; the drum including a pair of complementary arcuate plates arranged on opposite sides of the axis of rotation, with the convex surfaces of the plates facing outwardly; one of the plates having resilient fingers arranged at marginal portions of that plate, with the fingers projecting in opposite directions into positions underlying adjacent marginal portions of the other plate so as to grip a sheet of material inserted between the fingers and said marginal portions of said other plate; and a double stop carried by the inner concave surface of the said other plate, the stop being positioned to abut a forward end of the sheet whether the sheet is to be wrapped around the drums in one direction or in the reverse direction.

ALBERT C. MANNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 397,276 Chase Feb. 5, 1889 1,379,164 Bullis May 24, 1921 1,515,728 Clark Nov. 18, 1924 1,577,444 Brantley et a1 Mar. 23, 1926 1,609,093 Miller Nov. 30, 1926 1,731,963 Zusmer Oct. 15, 1929 1,799,620 Putt Apr. 7, 1931 2,252,086 McCarthy Aug. 12, 1941 2,252,112 Bailey Aug. 12, 1941 

